Big Sand Lake (Cass County)

Cass County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 11007700

DNR records show 7 stocking entries at Big Sand Lake (Cass County) since 2016, most recently walleye fingerlings in 2024 (17,717 fish).

• Big Sand Lake (Cass County) has 7 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2016-2024): walleye (7).
• The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 52,107 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 23 ft; surface area 731 acres, 635 littoral acres, 8.3 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 10.3 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow bullhead, and 1 more.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: July 7, 2021 (targeted survey).
• Cass County, nearest town Remer; DNR lake number (DOW) 11007700.

Depth map

Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 10/7/1981 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.

Stocking history

² fish purchased by the DNR for stocking.

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2021

Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.

Big Sand Lake (DOW# 11-0077) is a 730-acre lake with 635 littoral acres, 8.42 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 23 feet located West of Remer, MN. There is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access on the East shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Big Sand Lake is in lake class 35; lakes in this class typically have a high percentage of littoral area (water depths less than 15 feet deep), and an irregular shoreline. Other area lakes in lake class 35 include Big Bass, Hovde, and McKeown. The lake is primarily managed for Bluegill and Walleye. Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch are a secondary management species. Black Crappie are present although targeted sampling is required to establish long-range management goals. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 9 inches. Bluegill catch rates exceeded abundance and size structure management goals and ranged in length from 3 to 9 inches. Other fish species sampled include Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Big Sand Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, July 7, 2021.

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